The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
KALAKAUA'S KINGDOM.
A Graphic Account of the Recent Revolution
in the Hawaiian Islands--A Corrupt Court.

Correspondence of the Indianapolis journal
WAINUA KANAI, H. l., JULY wonder if
you realize all we have done here in the Hawaiian
! Islands in the past few weeks. Perhaps till
July we were the worst governed nation
under the sun. A King, gone back to fetichism,
far below beast in morality, fond of brides
stealing continually from the revenues. Cabinet
utterly subservient to his wishes, headed by a
Mr.. Gibson, an escaped prisoner from Java, who
used a white mans wit to humor asavage's fancies
and steal and plumber his account.
The Legislature would appropriate much for
roads and harbors-we go on horseback be-
cause the roads are impassable-and it would be
reported all drawn out 'by authority
Nothing has been done the roads for some
years, except in Honolulu. tn ough large sums
are voted each year. So with everything else;
money has been openly stolen that one
TT led to disguise it.
The Legislature. largely native, passed bill
licensing the sale of opium, illegal before and a
Chinaman paid the King, into his own hand.
$50, 600 for the license-the control of the opium
trahc-and got nothing for it, and could not get
his bride back. The native priests trying
to pray to death those white men who re-
monstrated.
Sensuality reigned in the palace. The
Queens sister has been for some time notori-
ously one of the hi ngs mistresses. All this
with publicity unknown to the civilized ma
tions.
About eight months ago a conspiracy was
formed to overthrow the government, establish
a republic, correct abuses and give those who
own nIne-tenths of all the property the ISL
auds voice in the government. The consplr-
acy grew. Three companies of rifles we're
armed and drilled. All the frauds and wicked
ness of the government were openly exposed in
the papers Money and men were pledged; the
thing grew. The King heard of it, but did not
believe half and waited. June 80 a great mass
meeting was called, openly to redress abuses
The King got interested and dismissed his
Cabinet.
The meeting Was largely attended and all
ready for action. The King sent a letter agree
ing to form a new Cabinet they should dictate.
and correct all abuses.
The committee of thirteen who had charge
demanded a constitution, that the King
give up all but the name of authority. that all
appointments be out of his power, and the money
out OF his reach he agreed to everything Then
the committee had to work night and day to get
ND a new constitution that should make it safe
to have such a King.
Meantime no boats were allowed to 60 to the
other islands. All the arms were taken by the
Rifles by authority of the King. All saloons
were deserted save for paroles of Rifles; 500
men were enlisted and ready to come out at a
moments notice. but few were in sight
Gibson, the Prime Minister. who had just re-
signed, got frightened and appealed to and
another for protection. All failing him, he sent
the Rifles and with bowls of disgust detach-
ment was sent to bring him to the armory.
Later he arrested on the charge of en-
bezzement Of public funds, but just before a
brig sailed for California he was released. and
quietly embarked. The charges will be investi-
gated, and held against him if ne tries to
return, aud is not lynched before they are pre-
ferred His release caused a great deal of
grum bling from those who felt sure he ought to
be hung, but the government wished
bloodshed, and the whole thing has been affected
without shot There were several DAYS when
a shot would have brought There
were rumors of firing the town, of destroy
ing the plantations. of natives rising, of
all sorts of things. No knew what was going
on but this committee of thirteen, to whom was
confded all power, and they only knew their
side, and could not tell how long the mob ele-
ment could be held down by their authority.
Each person reported a new story, and no
knew what to believe where to go for author
ity But the new constitution was prepared,
revised, revised again, accepted by the commit
tee, signed by the King. and sworn to by him
and all officers under him, and all breathed cas-
Ter. You can hardly imagine the anxiety. The
plantation hands, Portuguese and Chinese the
people of the village, the house servants-whom
should trustl The natives were as anxious
and uncertain the white people, as it was
ported that the white people would drive all the
natives off the island or kill them. By the
constitu ton all have a voice in the government
except the Chinese and Japanese, and day before
yesterday they had mass-m Getting. We shall
not hear from il till Tuesday.
All is not finished, but long march toward
good government has been de, and it is very
unlikely the power will go back to those
who have proved so unfit to hold il.
ALICE CHAPLIN.